For Ferris State University,
Friday night figured to be be the stage for one of those games that
would stand as an early test of where the Bulldogs are as a hockey team.

Following
a scoreless first period, Ferris outscored Ohio State 2-1 in the second
and held on for a 2-1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association win before a
crowd of 1,678 in Ewigleben Ice Arena to open the two-game series. In a
game that was relatively close, Ferris' two-goal second period was just
enough to propel the Bulldogs to a victory to start league play.

"I
thought the first period was a tremendous period of hockey for both
teams. The pace was unbelievable without a single penalty," Ferris head
coach Bob Daniels said. "At times, we were a little sloppy, but you have to give credit to Ohio State for playing well, too."

After starting the season 3-1-0 (splitting at Alabama-Huntsville before sweeping St. Lawrence at home), Ferris came was ready.

Senior forward Nate Hennig, who is enjoying a great start to the season,
got the scoring started as he beat OSU goaltender Cal Heeter (assisted
by Kyle Bonis and Zach Redmond) at 12:20 of the second period.

"Things
are going my way and that is the way it goes for guys some times,"
Hennig said. "I can't look past my linemates who are getting me the puck
and putting me in positions to make the plays."

The Bulldogs then built the lead to two as Hennig and Bonis traded roles. Bonis scored off an assists from Hennig and Chad Billins at 14:51.

"It was nice to get out there to play with Aaron Schmitt and Nate Hennig," Bonis said. "I was fortunate that Nate got me the puck and I was able to put it in."

Ohio
State finally got on the scoreboard, at 18:20, as C.J. Severyn scored
off assists from Curtis Gedig and Devon Krogh to make it 2-1 on the
scoreboard.

Between the pipes, Pat Nagle was superb for the Bulldogs with help in front from Redmond, Billins and others.

"He
looks very calm, everything looks simple and moving at a slow pace,"
Daniels said. "A sign of a good goalie is when you don't notice him too
much."

The Bulldogs and Buckeyes wrap up their two-game series on Saturday night with the puck set to drop at 7:05 p.m. in Big Rapids.